Monroe hosts Japanese students

James Monroe Middle School students had the opportunity to serve as cultural ambassadors to 26 Japanese students during their week-long visit to the United States.

By John V. Cianijciani@ridgecrestca.com

James Monroe Middle School students had the opportunity to serve as cultural ambassadors to 26 Japanese students during their week-long visit to the United States.The students arrived in the country March 27 and will leave for home Thursday.During their visit, the Japanese students attended classes at Monroe with their buddies, participated in clubs and other activities at the school.They also received a tour of Ridgecrest, visited the Bureau of Land Management's Wild Horse and Burro Facility, and attended church with their host families for Easter."We were asked by Cultural Homestay International to have an in-school program," said Monroe Principal Clara Finneran.She said the visitors participated in activities such as band and choir and also played basketball after school."They have curriculum they have to take while they're here," she said.Finneran said five of the host families have students at Monroe.She said hosting the students was a great experience."It has been fabulous," Finneran said. "We have really enjoyed seeing our students being wonderful hosts, and it's special to see our students learn about another culture and to see that in some ways there aren't that many differences."She said there are standards such as exposure to cultures of other nations as well as socio-emotional things."Our world is rapidly getting smaller," she said. "We have to teach our students how to interact with as many different types of people."Student Yurina Akitake said her first impressions of the United States is that American people are friendly. She said now people are even friendlier.Another student, Koshiro Imakiire said the people have been very kind."I enjoyed being part of this school," he said. "The classes are more fun."